The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill received approval from the State Education Department to offer a Bachelor of Technology in landscape contracting. It is the 19th bachelor’s degree program developed by the college since 1987.
According to SUNY Cobleskill Distinguished Teaching Professor of Plant Science, landscaping in the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet, New York State has a shortage of employees trained to design, install and manage landscapes who are also knowledgeable in the business skills required to sustain and grow their companies. The new Bachelor of Technology in landscape contracting is designed to address that shortage.
While there are approximately 40 accredited university programs in landscape architecture in the U.S. (three in New York State), there are only six accredited baccalaureate programs in landscape contracting. They are in the states of Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, California and Colorado. Until the development of this new program landscape development associate degree students who wanted to continue their studies in landscape contracting had to transfer out of state.
The Bachelor of Technology in landscape contracting is an interdisciplinary technical degree combining the resources of SUNY Cobleskill’s departments of plant science, agricultural engineering, business and computer technologies departments. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Technology degree in landscape contracting will prepare graduates to enter the landscape industry with knowledge of the nomenclature, landscape uses, and cultural requirements of the flora of the northeastern United States, and the ability to design, install, and maintain plantings, hardscapes, and irrigation systems.
It will also provide them with knowledge and experience in customer sales and service, cost estimating and bidding, contract preparation, marketing fundamentals and management and leadership techniques, as well as computer competence in design, estimating and data processing.
The Bachelor of Technology in landscape contracting at SUNY Cobleskill is structured to allow students to enter as freshmen, or to transfer from SUNY Cobleskill’s or other Associate in applied science in landscape development programs. Degree requirements are structured to meet requirements for accreditation by the Landscape Contracting Accreditation Board, and satisfy general education requirements of the SUNY Board of Trustees.
For more information about SUNY Cobleskill’s new Bachelor of Technology in landscape contracting contact the SUNY Cobleskill Office of Admissions at 518/255-5525.